Tuesday Spotlight: Annabel Joseph

One of the reasons I find BDSM romance more interesting than “vanilla” romance is that both parties have a responsibility above and beyond what usual couples deal with. A BDSM couple may move into risky or even dangerous territory, depending on how they play. There might be sadism, humiliation, emotional manipulation…of course, this is all desired by both partners, in my books anyway. But my characters never enter those kinds of emotional minefields without talking first.

[Cue trumpets] Negotiation! Okay, I will be perfectly honest here. I find this dance of negotiation very SEXY. In each of my books there is always that scene where the Dom and sub sit down across a table, or in a sitting room, or even a lawyer’s meeting, and spell out the terms of how they will relate one another in their power exchange dynamic.

Now, for someone not into BDSM, those kind of formalized negotiations probably sound terribly icky and non-romantic, but for someone who is into BDSM, it can be very sexy to listen in on partners as they negotiate their roles. There is always that subtle angling for power…What will he want to do to me? How much will she allow me to do?

Of course, there are times when, even though partners have negotiated previously, things go off the rail. Then they must go back and ask each other, What went wrong? What should we have done differently? What should we change going forward?

Of course not all negotiations go smoothly, and not all people are adept at them. In my books, the couples are never perfect, just as real people are never perfect. Things always go wrong at one point, but I think it’s important to have that, so I can show the characters pulling themselves together and rising above adversity.

When you think about it, maybe vanilla relationships would benefit from this kind of specific and ongoing negotiation too. It seems like the more a couple communicates, the better things go. Something to think about…

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The “laying down” of the rules is a wonderful way for a writer to give the reader a scope of the intensity to come. I find it easier to take some of the harder stuff if I know it was desired by both parties. I don’t believe the BDSM lifestyle would be good to stumble across. I enjoyed your post both today and yesterday. I’ll have to try one of your titles.

The Last Prejudice

White Water

The Atomic City Girls

Heaven’s Watcher

My Favorite Mistake

Taking Desire

Needing Desire

Running Hot

Frost Moon

Blue Light Special

Review Star Rating Definitions

1 Star – We currently do not review any story with a 1 star rating. If it’s DNF or a “wall-banger” we decline to review.

2 Stars — Not wonderful, but tolerable. There may be some minor editing glitches but not enough to stop you reading. Not a wall-banger, but nothing you’d re-read. This is a book you would borrow from the library – not buy- and never check out again. You might recommend it to a friend with a mention of the glitches, knowing that something in the plot or story would still appeal to them regardless.

3 Stars — Good. Mostly enjoyable. You made it through and didn’t consider it a waste of time or money. The story was strong enough or the conflict tight enough, so even when the book faltered, it was able to draw you back in and keep you. There’s a chance you’ll recommend it to a friend, but it wouldn’t go on your keeper shelf.

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5 Stars — Great! You would definitely buy this book. You would definitely recommend it to your friends. You really loved the characters and the plot and would consider looking for this authors back list or making her an autobuy. The writing and editing were superb.

LASR Best Book – For a book or story that is truly exceptional. You think about it when you’re not reading it. You wonder what happens to the characters when you finish. You would absolutely buy everything else this author had to offer. The highest praise – and reserved for only a few.

Review Heat Level Descriptions

SWEET: no visual love scenes and no descriptive kissing;

SENSUAL: Contains a high degree of sexual tension, steamy kisses and passionate clinches, but all fully consummated love scenes will be implied, not described, and with the bedroom door firmly closed.

SPICY: Contains actual love scenes and may include detailed descriptions of foreplay and consummation.

HOT: Contains sizzling and very detailed love scenes throughout and graphic, explicit content which may be offensive to some.

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